Ürgüp

Hatios or Aios is the name of a priest lived in second century. It is called as Prokopios in Latin Language. As it can be seen most of the languages, it turns to Prokop if the suffix drops. So it is said Pirekup in Seljuk dialect. Then, it turns to todayes Ürgüp. There is also a town named as Ürgüp in Belgrade coming from Prokopis. In his book, “Les Eglies Rupestres de Cappadoce”, Prokopios was written instead of Ürgüp on the second map. In the Byzantine period has been called as Osiana, Hagios, Prokopios, in the period of Seljuks as Bashisar and in the period of Ottomans as Burgut Castle. Until the first years of the Republic was called Ürgüp.

Ürgüp which has been established at the outskirts of the hill named as hill of whishes founded at 20 km in north of Nevsehir province in one of the first settlement areas of Cappadocia region. Urgup is very famous as the touristic centre of the region and offers numerous options for food and accommodation. It is also an ideal palace start a tour of the region with Ortahisar, Mustafapasa, Valley of Gomeda, and Monastery of keslik only 5 – 10 kms away. On the way to Urgup you are greeted by “The three beauties” (catalkaya). Every tour bus stops here t check out the stunning view overlooking the region. If you would like to see the structures left over from the beyliks and the Ottomans you must visit temenni tepesi. Ürgüp was the patriarchate center of the Cappadocia region. The Üzümlü Church, Cambazli Church and Sarica Church in Ortahisar which was one of the villages of Ürgüp are the oldest rock churches from the region. Furthermore and Tavsanli Church and Church of Saint Basileious are the spectacular places. Ürgüp which has got the famous cave hotels, wines and hand made carpets is the most important tourism center of the Cappaddocia Region. The old cave houses were restored as a touristy cave hotel without damaging their historic structure. Among the cave hotels some of the cave have been restores as distraction place as discos and bars.

The most important thing that must be done is absolutalety balloon tour in Urgup that attracts a lot of local and foreigner tourists every year. In these tours, you can see the fairy chimneys as natural architectural work, famous valleys, historical buildings, whole magnificence of Ürgüp and Cappadocia over hundreds of meters height. Ones who join these tours are taken from their hotels early in the morning. Balloons get ready while the participants have breakfast. Balloons take of in the sun shine. In a standart tour, balloons stay on air for an hour. So participants witness the magnificent view of Urgup and Cappadocia. When a balloon comes down, a flight certificate is given to participants as a souvenir. The adventure that takes two hours ends with unforgettable memory by turning back to hotel.

How can you go: You can go to Urgup from Nevsehir province by roadway 20 km. Nevsehir is 670 km. far from Istanbul, 280 km. from Ankara, 750 km. from Izmir.